Pac-Tending 12-05-07

"While there's still work to be done, football student-athletes in Division I are doing better academically than in the past."

- NCAA spokesperson Erik Christianson, speaking about the improved academic results for this year's bowl-bound football programs.

The good NCAA news keeps coming at the Creek as California repeated as the men's water polo national champions, two conference teams – UCLA and USC – meet in one of the women's soccer semi-finals while all six conference teams advanced into the second round in the women's volleyball NCAA tournament and then five of those six made it into the Sweet Sixteen – with only Washington missing the cut.

Also, all-conference selections were made in football and Oregon's Dennis Dixon was named as the conference's offensive player of the year while USC's Sedrick Ellis was named as the conference's defensive player of the year and Arizona State head coach Dennis Erickson was named coach of the year. Washington's Jake Locker was named as freshman of the year.

Meanwhile, at NCAA HQ, a report from the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida released this week indicates that 73% of bowl-bound football programs are above the NCAA's minimum cut-line of 925 on the last APR [Academic Progress Report] – an improvement of 10% over last year's numbers. Navy had the highest APR of bowl-bound teams at 982 [out of 1000].

Oregon State

In football, the Beavers defeated rival Oregon, 38-31, to improve to 8-4 overall and 6-3 in conference play and will play Maryland in the Emerald Bowl. Seniors Matt Sieverson and Derrick Doggett were named as the conference's offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively.

WSU

In men's hoop, 6th-ranked Wazzu defeated Baylor, 67-64, to remain undefeated on the year at 7-0.

In women's hoop, the Cougars beat Idaho but lost to Texas Tech to move to 2-5 overall on the year.

Arizona State

In football, the Sun Devils beat rival Arizona, 20-17, to improve to 10-2 overall and 7-2 in conference play and will play Texas in the Holiday Bowl. Freshman kicker Thomas Weber was named as the conference's special teams player of the week.

Oregon

In football, the Ducks lost to rival Oregon State, 38-31, to fall to 8-4 overall and 5-4 in conference play and will play South Florida in the Sun Bowl.

USC

In football, the Trojans defeated rival UCLA, 24-7, to improve to 10-2 overall and 7-2 in conference play and will play Illinois in the Rose Bowl.

UCLA

In football, the Bruins lost to rival USC, 24-7, to fall to 6-6 overall and 5-4 in conference play and will play BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl. Head coach Karl Dorrell was fired.

Arizona

In football, the Wildcats lost to rival Arizona State, 20-17, to finish their season at 5-7 overall and 4-5 in conference play.

Stanford

In football, the Cardinal beat rival California, 20-13, to finish their season at 4-8 overall and 3-6 in conference play.

Washington

In football, the Huskies lost to Hawai'i, 35-28, to finish their season at 3-9 overall and 2-7 in conference play.

California

In football, the Bears lost to rival Stanford, 20-13, to fall to 6-6 overall and 3-6 in conference play and will play Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl.

In men's hoop, forward Ryan Anderson was named as the conference's player of the week.

In women's hoop, junior forward was named as the conference's player of the week.

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